Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Mercy and Compassion Notes from the SED

Dear Friends,

Blessings in these Pentecost days! I am writing with two brief messages to share with you.

The
first, comes from Rev. Dave and Kathy Ludwig from Hickory NC about DCE
Nancy Pingel. Nancy has served for 36 years and is the DCE at Christ
Lutheran, Hickory. She has been active at Camp Linn Haven for many of
these years as well. Nancy is battling cancer. There will be a special
prayer vigil for her at Christ Lutheran, Hickory NC on Thursday, June 19
from 7:00 - 8:00. I invite you to join in prayer for Nancy during that
time. You may wish to send a prayer note or connect through Facebook.

The
second message also calls for prayers. Last evening, Pilger NE took a
direct hit from a double vortex tornado. District President Russ
Sommerfield writes: "At this time we know that 16 people were
critically injured and 1 person was killed. These statistics may change
by morning. Early reports also indicate that St. John Lutheran Church
and it's parsonage were destroyed. Pastor Terry Makelin of St. John's
was on a youth trip to Missouri and his wife was in Clearwater, NE.
Terry and the youth are currently homeward bound. Conversations with
Pastor James Carretto of St. Paul, Wisner and Pastor Tim Booth of Faith,
Stanton have resulted in reports of safety in each Wisner and Stanton.
However some farm family members of each congregation sustained
significant damage, some losing everything. Pilger residents are being
relocated to the Wisner High School gym for immediate shelter. A
disaster response trained pastor has been there this evening to meet
them and care for them.

Nebraska District Disaster Response
Coordinator Rev. Rod Armon who is the commander of Nebraska National
Guard chaplains is in assessment mode. Pastor Armon is also in touch
with the LCMS Disaster Response Team in St. Louis. A meeting will be
arranged either Thursday or Friday for pastors from the West Point,
Norfolk and Wayne Circuits as well as Orphan Grain Train and other
agencies to coordinate relief efforts."

Please keep the people of
Pilger in your prayers, as we know of needs we will share the word. It
is interesting that just last week, President Sommerfield contacted us
because the Nebraska District LWML had made several prayer banners to
send to congregations who were in the midst of a disaster or still
recovering. These banners were to convey a message of hope, of walking
together, and the prayers of all God's people. Today, we remember that
the residents of Pilger need those prayers, words of hope, and our
walking together.

God's blessings in your day and thank you for your prayer support.

Sally HillerCongregational Outreach

The Southeastern District (SED)

is
a regional district of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Connecting
people with Christ, the 206 churches, 94 schools and 45 missions are
located in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC,Pennsylvania,
North and South Carolina. The SED office is located in Alexandria VA.